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Group:
Moncot
Estimated genome size:
50 to 100 cm in height
Size:
50 to 100 cm in height
Distribution:
Endemic to South Africa, the Miracle Clivia Lily is known to occur in the Oorlogskloof area near the town of Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape. The species has only been recorded in the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, where two subpopulations are found on the Bokkeveldberge plateau.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
426.45 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
12.38 kilobases
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Genome Length:
15.12 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.3% [S: 69.9%, D: 29.4%]
Importance:
Clivia mirabilis survives in an unusually arid environment compared with other Clivia species, which is why it is known as the “miracle lily”. Its distinctive hardiness has made it desirable for breeders seeking to improve ornamental Clivia lines. However, heavy illegal poaching has removed thousands of plants from the wild. This leaves the remaining population dangerously small and at risk of extinction in its natural habitat.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Felix Middleton
Clivia Society of South Africa
Group:
Eudicot
Estimated genome size:
Size:
3-5 cm high, about 10 cm in diameter
Distribution:
Endemic to a single valley in the Western Cape and restricted to disjunct sites on quartzite pavements.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
41.67 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
10.91 kilobases
Assembly N50:
65 443.77 kilobases
Contig number:
1 590
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
0.75 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.3% [S: 95.8%, D: 3.5%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Bijlia dilatata
Clay Prince Albert vygie
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Importance:
The Red List of Southern African Plants notes that the species is range-restricted species (EOO 260 km²) and 'declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation'. A recent publication by Milton et al. (2024) studied eight populations and concluded that grazing and climate change appear to be contributing to declines in this endemic habitat specific dwarf succulent, already threatened by land transformation and poaching in the Succulent Karoo hotspot of South Africa.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Prof. Helga van der Merwe
South African Environmental Observation Network: Arid Lands Node
Date Published:
2025-10-28
Photo credit:
© S. Milton
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